Noiseless over garment with apertures

ABSTRACT

An outer garment, worn over a jacket and other clothing, for additional warmth. The garment comprises apertures or openings instead of sleeves to allow a user to tuck his arms into the garment like a blanket, or extend his arms through the apertures noiselessly. The garment further includes interior pockets that are shaped and angled to accommodate a user to comfortably who is wearing mittens. The garment is used for hunters and sporting event spectators, to provide comfort in extreme weather conditions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to garments and more particularly to cold and inclement weather over garments that are noiseless and have apertures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hunting is often done in cold weather. Likewise, sports fans sit outside in cold and inclement weather to cheer for football and hockey games. Hunters and spectators, alike, share a need to stay warm in frigid or inclement conditions, while sitting outside for hours at a time.

Previous garments, such as jackets or ponchos provide warmth, but can be cumbersome. Most jackets have sleeves that fit snugly around a person's arms. However, with sleeves, the arms are not able to be close to the person's core. The closer a person's appendages can be to his body, the easier it is to stay warm. In order to take advantage of this phenomenon, people have used blankets and sleeping bags draped over themselves to keep warm at sporting events or while hunting in a tree stand.

Ponchos are traditionally light-weight and not insulated. Additionally, there is minimal storage either on the exterior or interior surfaces of the ponchos. Moreover, when a person lifts his arms up when wearing a poncho, the entire poncho moves. This frequently causes cold air to get in under the Poncho and, in the case of a hunter, can obstruct his view.

When hunters are sitting, waiting for the right shot, it is very important to remain as quiet as possible. Any sound at all can startle the animal, causing the hunter to lose his chance. Therefore, it is helpful if the garment a hunter is wearing does not unduly create noise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to an over garment with large openings, rather than sleeves, and interior pockets that a user can employ to keep warm. Because of their location and construction, the use of these interior pockets can minimize noise that would otherwise be created with traditional outerwear. Typically, the over garment is insulated and is used to keep the wearer warm in hostile weather environments. Such a garment may be used by hunters, but may also be used, for example by spectators at sporting events.

The present invention comprises at least one front panel and a back panel, joined along their top edges, to allow the garment to drape over a wearer's shoulders. A hole to permit a wearer head to pass through is preferably located in the middle of joint. In some embodiments of the present invention, the internal surfaces of the front and back panels may be made of a comforting or insulating material, such as fleece, cotton or wool.

In an additional aspect of at least some embodiments of the current invention, the exterior surfaces of the front and back panels are made of a weather-resistant and water-resistant material, such as Gortex®. The material used may be constructed using different levels of insulation, allowing some embodiments to be lighter or heavier, depending on the needs of the user.

In one aspect of at least one embodiment of the current invention, two front panels are connected by a fastener, such as a zipper, coupling snapping members, buttons, Velcro®, or the like. This embodiment allows a user to don and doff the garment without having to slip it over his or her head.

In another aspect of the current invention, a hood extending from the top of the back panel and adjacent to the head opening is provided to permit a user to cover his or her head for warmth.

In another aspect of the current invention, a pair of pockets, are affixed to the exterior surface of the at least one front panel. The external pockets are large enough either to store ammunition, or to permit ingress by a hand covered with a mitten.

In yet another aspect of the current invention, a pair of apertures, or openings, between the side edges of the at least one front panel and the back panel, instead of traditional sleeves, allow a user' to extend his arms relatively noiselessly. The larger opening allows a person to quietly extend his arms through the opening, or retract his arms into the warmth of the garment.

An additional aspect of one embodiment of the current invention is that the apertures are designed such that when a user lifts his arms, for example, to position a gun for hunting and shooting, the garment does not move. The fact that it remains stationary allows minimal noise and movement that could spook the game animal.

In still another aspect of the current invention, a pair of internal pockets, are affixed to each interior surface of the at least one front panel. Inside the garment are large pockets that a user can put his hands into. The pockets are large enough to encompass mittened hands. This way, a hunter can be cocooned in the garment, with his hands inside the pockets. Should a deer or other game animal come within shooting range, the user can quietly slip his arms through the openings to reach a gun and get a good shot.

In a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the current invention the angle of the interior pockets to allow a user to comfortably use the pockets while wearing the garment, when the user's arms are inside the cavity of the garment, rather than through the apertures or openings.

In specific embodiments, the garment is pre-assembled, self-contained and easily donned by the wearer, in particular, by hunters over their normal hunting gear (e.g., jackets, pants, bibs, etc.). In other embodiments, the garment may be camouflage, blaze orange, or reflect a sports team logo.

In a still further aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention, at least a pair of vest flaps extend downwardly from the top shoulder area of the garment, over the back and front panels. The vest flaps may connect to the shoulder area of the over garment by using snapping members, buttons, zippers, Velcro, or the like. These vest flaps may be blaze orange, or other high visibility color, to comply with hunting regulations. Likewise, the vest flaps may be padded to lessen the impact of the hunting gun's recoil.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention a pouch is selectively engageable with the back panel, to facilitate storage of the garment. The garment may be stuffed into the pouch by folding the garment in on itself and into the pouch. Preferably a strap is secured to the pouch, to aid in carrying the garment.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a garment when a user is standing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a garment, illustrating the internal surfaces and interior pockets in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a frontal perspective view of a garment when the user is sitting in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan front view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plan back view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, references will be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. Specific language will also be used to describe the same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

One embodiment of an over garment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and indicated generally by numeral 10. The over garment 10 comprises at least one front panel 2 having an interior surface 4 and an exterior surface 6, a top 7, a bottom 9 and a pair of side edges 11. A back panel 8 also has an interior surface 4 and an exterior surface 8, a top 13, a bottom 15 and a pair of side edges 17, wherein the back panel 8 is joined along its top 13 to the top 7 of the at least one front panel 2. A head opening 24 is defined by a portion of the top of said joined front 2 and back panels 8, to allow a head to go through such that the garment 10 drapes over a user's shoulders. A hood member 12 extends from the top of the back panel 8 and adjacent to said head opening 24, to cover a user's head for warmth.

The length of the garment is such that when the wearer stoops, sits, or kneels, the garment reaches the ground. This allows a person's body heat to stay within the garment interior and not escape through the ground. More particularly, when a wearer is standing, the length of the front and back panels extends from the shoulder height to below the knees of the wearer. In at least one embodiment, the front panels and the back panels are four feet in length.

There is a pair of external pockets 14, affixed to the exterior surface 6 of the at least one front panel 2. There is a pair of internal pockets 16, affixed to each interior surface 4 of the at least one front panel 2. A pair of apertures 20 extend between the side edges of the at least one front panel 2 and the back panel 8, to allow a user's arms to extend noiselessly out from the interior of the garment 10.

In at least some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the two front panels 2 are connected with a fastening device 18. The fastening device may be coupling snapping members, a zipper, Velcro® or the like.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the garment may further include a pouch member 28 into which the back panel 8, the front panels 2, and hood 12 may be folded for storage. A strap 30 is preferably affixed to the pouch and is used to carry the garment 10 when it is stored in the pouch 28.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, in at least one embodiment of the current invention a hood 12 extends from the top of the back panel 8, adjacent to the head opening 24, to cover a user's head for warmth.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, preferably a pair of vest flaps 22 extend downwardly from the top shoulder area of the garment 10, over the back 8 and front panels 2 and 2. The vest flaps 22 may connect to the shoulder area of the over garment 10 by using snapping members, buttons, zippers, Velcro, or the like. Likewise, the vest flaps 22 may also be padded (not shown) to lessen the impact of the hunting gun's recoil.

In use, a user opens the garment 10 from the bottom by separating the front and back panels 2 and 8. The user then pulls the garment 10 over his head so that his head passes through head opening 24. If a hood 12 is affixed to the garment 10, the user can choose to employ the hood on his head. If he so desires, the user can then put his arms through the apertures 20, or simply keep his arms inside the garment 10.

If the garment 10 has a closure 18, a user first pulls the garment 10 around himself and then puts his arms through the apertures 20. He then closes the closure device 18. At that point, the user has the option of pulling his arms inside the garment 10 for warmth or to access any internal pockets 16 that may be on the inside of the garment 10.

After use, if a pouch 28 is affixed to the garment 10, the garment 10 may be folded into the pouch 10 and then carried by a strap 30.

When the user extends his hands out the apertures 20 the garment is quiet and still. The noiselessness of the garment allows a user, such as a hunter, to extend his or her arms out of the apertures 20, 20, and take aim at a game animal without startling it. Likewise, when a user lifts his or her arms while wearing the garment, particularly to point and shoot a gun, the garment remains on the shoulders so that the user has a clear view. The garment does not rise or move significantly.

Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention. 

1. A garment comprising: at least one front panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top, a bottom and a pair of side edges; a back panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top, a bottom and a pair of side edges, wherein the back panel is joined along its top to the top of the at least one front panel; a head opening defined by a portion of the top of said joined front and back panels, to allow a head to go through such that the garment drapes over a user's shoulders; a pair of internal pockets, affixed to the interior surface of the at least one front panel; and a pair of apertures defined by the entire length of each side edges of the at least one front panel and the back panel, to allow a user's arms to substantially noiselessly extend through the pair of apertures
 2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein said front panel is comprised of two portions selectively releasably joined together by a fastener.
 3. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the external surfaces of the front and back panels are made of a water-resistant material.
 4. A garment according to claim 1 wherein the external surfaces of the front and back panels are made of a camouflage material.
 5. A garment according to claim 1 wherein the internal surfaces of the front and back panels are made of fleece.
 6. A garment according to claim 1 wherein the internal surfaces of the front and back panels are made of cotton.
 7. A garment according to claim 2 wherein the fastener comprises a zipper.
 8. A garment according to claim 2 wherein the fastener comprises cooperating snapping members.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. A garment according to claim 1, further including at least a pair of flap members secured to the top of front and back panels, wherein the flap members are rectangular and extend away from the front and back panels.
 12. A garment according to claim 11, wherein the flaps are blaze orange.
 13. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the interior pockets are sized to fit hands wearing mittens.
 14. A garment comprising: a pair of front panels, each having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top, a bottom and a pair of side edges; a back panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top, a bottom and a pair of side edges, wherein the back panel is joined along the top to the top of the pair of front panels; a head opening extending through the top of said joined front and back panels, to allow a user to drape the garment over a his shoulders; a hood member wherein the hood is affixed to the top of the back panel and adjacent to said head opening, to cover a user's head for warmth; a pair of internal pockets, each affixed to each interior surface of each front panel sized to accommodate a user's hands when said user is wearing mittens; a fastener for fastening the pair of front panels together; a pair of apertures defined by the entire length of each side edge of the at least one front panel and the back panel, to allow a user's arms to substantially noiselessly extend through the pair of apertures.
 15. A garment comprising: at least one front panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top, a bottom and a pair of side edges; a back panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top, a bottom and a pair of side edges, wherein the back panel is joined along its top to the top of the at least one front panel; wherein the at least one front panel and the back panel have a length of four feet. a head opening defined by a portion of the top of said joined front and back panels, to allow a head to go through such that the garment drapes over a user's shoulders; a pair of internal pockets, affixed to the interior surface of the at least one front panel; and a pair of apertures defined by the entire length of each side edges of the at least one front panel and the back panel, to allow a user's arms to substantially noiselessly extend through the pair of apertures.
 16. A garment according to claim 14, further including a pouch member into which the back panel, the front panels, and hood are folded for storage. 